FUN-LOVIN FUDGE MAKERS RAISE FUNDS

TRURO - Mary McNutt and Joan Hoare find it difficult to not laugh when they are together. However, when the senior citizens realized they raised about $36,000 over five years for the VON's Adult Day Program, the laughter was - momentarily - replaced with a quiet humility.
"We do feel good about ourselves," said Mary. "We never thought about how much we raised ... we try to do better every year. It's one day at a time ... and we may have to come to the (VON) some day," said Joan about why they fundraise. Both ladies have also had a relative assisted by the VON in the past.
The ladies have been friends for several years and began volunteering about 10 years ago for a number of local organizations. For the past five years they have focused their attention on helping the VON by making fudge and dog biscuits for sale. The last two years they raised $11,000 each year.
"Equipment and supplies like radios, music, arts and crafts, are vital to the clients and may not be as available without (Joan and Mary's) efforts," praised Carol Curley, branch director of the local VON.
The ladies said they are not role models, just two fun-loving women who enjoy baking and meeting people. It's obvious their wise-cracking nature and ability to playfully poke fun of each other make their efforts even more enjoyable.
"Sometimes we've finished making fudge at 12:30 in the morning," giggled Joan.
They estimate they make at least 1,000 dog biscuits a year and "hundreds and hundreds" of pounds of fudge. Joan and Mary fundraise eight months of the year, often putting in 20 hours of preparation time a week. They will sell their goodies at the upcoming Zonta Fair and soon station themselves at the Truro Mall with the tasty treats.
"Every year we say this is the end of the fudge and bones, yet we are still making them," said Joan.
The women, who were recognized as Maritimers of the Week by CTV earlier this year, said they intend to fundraise as long as they are healthy ... but they will only do it together.
"We started this together and we'll finish it together," said Mary.
In the meantime, the ladies will continue whipping up the treats and visiting clients at the VON, who benefit from their fundraising. "A lot of people don't realize the VON is here ... and they do such a good job," said Joan. "It's important for us to help any way we can."

mchiasson@trurodaily.com